Chapter 6.1 + 6.2 Introduction to Biotech and DNA tools used in biotech Flashcards
Define biotechnology
Biotechnology refers to the artificial tools used on organisms or the products of organisms to make a product or solve a problem for human benefit.
What are the 4 DNA biotechnology techniques?
-DNA sequencing
-Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
-Gel electrophoresis
-Recombinant DNA technology
What are the four tools used in DNA-based biotechnology?
-Restriction enzymes
-DNA ligase
-DNA polymerase
-Primers
What are these 4 DNA-based tool required for?
They are required for synthesising, cutting and pasting, viewing and analysing DNA.
What is the role of restriction enzymes?
-Restriction enzymes role is to cut DNA molecules at recognition sites (specific nucleotides) usually 4-5 bases long.
What are the two types of cuts done by restriction enzymes?
-Sticky ends (one strand has overhanging complementary bases, specific)
-Blunt ends (no overhanging, non-specific)
What is the role of DNA ligase?
-It is an enzyme that uses formed phosphodiester bonds to seal and reassemble the DNA backbone in the process of ligation, or in short, it sticks the backbone of DNA together.
What is the main source of restriction enzymes?
Bacteria
What is the role of DNA polymerase?
It is a class of enzymes that synthesises new strands of DNA based on a template strand and according to complementary base-pair rules.
What is the role of primers?
They assist in the synthesis of new strands of DNA by acting as a signal for the polymerase to begin synthesising.
What are primers?
Primers are short fragments of single-stranded nucleic acid (DNA or RNA)
What are the advantages of both sticky end and blunt end?
Sticky end: Fragments can join efficiently with a desired fragment that is cut with the same restriction enzyme.
Blunt end: Fragments can join with any other blunt end fragment
